Gas burner system utilizing safety push button



June 24, 1952 w, A, RAY 2,601,321

GAS BURNER SYSTEM UTILIZING SAFETY lPUSH BUTTON Filed July l2, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET l W. A. RAY

June 24, 1952 GAS BURNER SYSTEM UTILIZING SAFETY PUSH BUTTON Filed July 12, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 hun IN V EN TOR.

Patented June 24, 1952 GAS BURNERv SYSTEM UTtILIZING SAFETY Y PUSH BUTTON William A. I tay, North Hollywood, Calif., assigner to GeneralControls. Co., a corporation of Callfornia 4 Application J uly 12, 1948,-Seria1.No. 38,342 11 Claims.V (Cl. 158--131) This invention relates to a gas burner system, such as shownzforexample lin `application,Serial Number 745,409, `led, on May 6, 1947, and now Patent No. 2,520,961, in the -nameof William A. Ray, for Safety Push Button Gas Burner Conl Ji This application isa continuation part ofsaidapplication.

In the said prior application, there is described a system in which` the`-` pilot burner` must be ignited and burning before the main burner can be ignited; and the arrangement is such that upon pilot flame failure, themainburner valve is closed and the supplyiof gas to the pilot burner is also interrupted. To initiate the operation of the system or reset the mechanism, the igniter is energized and a temporaryby-passforsupplying fuel to the burner.` is provided. As. soon as the pilot burner is ignited, the .resetting device is released, and. after ashorttime delay, the main burner valve is permitted.r to open.

It is one of` thev objects ofthis invention to provide an improvedsystemof this character.

It is another object of this invention to ensure that the igniter cannot be energized until after a time delay hasoccurred upon interruption of the operation. It is -thus assured that re-ignition immediatelynupcn pilotfilame failure cannot occur. Thereby; danger of explosion of unignited fuel left at the burner is avoided, since there is ample time forthe escape of the fuel.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparentfrom a consideration of a form in which it may beV embodied. This form is shown in the drawings.k accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It

will now be describedl in detail, for` the purpose of illustrating the general,` principles of the invention; but it is to beunderstood that such de tailed description is not to be taken ina limit,- ing sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to thedrawings;

Figure 1 is a diagram of `a system incorporating the invention;I

Fig. 2 is a sectional View of the apparatus utilized in the invention, and shown in the` inactive position in which both the pilot burner and the main burner are unlighted;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the position of the apparatus when the main burner is conditioned for use;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2, and illustrating the manner in which the operation of the system may be initiated; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along a plane corresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

InA Fig. 1 a main burner I is shown as supplied from a fuel gas conduit 2. Controlling the flow of fuel to the. burner' I isv an electromagnetically operated valve 3. A pilot burner 4 is supplied with fuel from the conduit 2 through the con-- duits y5 and 6. Interposedv between thee-econduits is a control apparatus 'I'which incorporates valvemeans for controlling the passage of fuel to the pilot burner.

The pilot burner l may be ignited through an electrically energized igniter 8. This igniter 8 maybe of the spark gapV type, and may be sup-A plied With electrical energy through a transformer 9. The secondary winding l0 of the transformer 3 is directly connected to the igniter 8. A ground connection II maybe provided for one terminal of the winding I`0ias Well as for the conduit 5. Power is supplied to the primary winding I2 of the transformer 9 from a stepdoWn transformer I3 appropriately connected to a commercial source of electrical energy.

The control device 1 is so arranged that it will condition; the valve 3 so that it may be opened onlyinthe event that the pilot flame I t is in existence. When the pilotilame I4 is extinguished, the valve 3 is maintained'closed, and the supply of fuel to the burner IV is interrupted.

For this purpose, in the present instance use isinade of a thermocouple I5 having a hot junction arranged to be heated by the pilot dame I4. When the pilot llame I4 is in existence, the thermocouple I5 energizes a delicate relay I6. This relay, when it is energized, conditions the valve 3 `so vthat it may be opened Whenever more heat is required.

As shown in Fig. l, a thermostat Il is inserted in the circuit of the electromagnetically operated valve 3. ThisY thermostat may bedisposed'in the roomy or space that is to be heated by the aid of the burner I. When the thermostat closes a contact, due to a lowered temperature, the main valve 3 is opened, and the burner I is ignited by the pilot ame I4. f

The control device I includes a main body i8 which may be a casting. This main'body has an inlet land` an outlet 20 connected respectively to the conduits 6 and 5.. This structure is shown most clearly in Figs.- 2, 3, and 4.

Thelower surface 2| of body I3 forms one Wall of ra pressure chamber 22. vA movable Wall for the chamber is formed by a ilexible diaphragm 23. This diaphragm 23 is used for performing controlling 'functions as hereinafter described.

The outer edge'of diaphragm 2'3is held in place against the lower ange on the body I8 by the aid of a cover member 25 that is appropriately attached to the body I8.

The diaphragm 23 is provided with a large disc 24 engaging its lower surface. Above the diaphragm 23 is another smaller disc 26. These two discs are held tightly against the diaphragm 23 by the aid of a stem member 21. The head 28 of the stem member engages the disc 26. A nut 29, threaded on the stem member 21, holds the assembly together.

The stem member 21 is slidably mounted in a bushing 30 that is firmly supported in the cover 26. A compression spring 3| is interposed between the disc 24 and the cover member 25 to urge the diaphragm 23 to the upper position illustrated in Fig. 2. This spring is quite light, and is suiiicient to move the diaphragm in this manner when there is no uid pressure exerted in chamber 22.

A chamber 32 is provided in the body member I8 and communicating with the inlet I9. This chamber is closed at its lower end by a sealing wall 33 appropriately attached to the body I8. This space 32 is sealed, as by the cover 34 that encloses the relay I6.

The relay I6 has a core 35, the lower leg of which is supported on a frame 36. This frame 36 has an opening 31, and is appropriately supported upon the upper surface of the body I8, screws 33 being shown for holding the core 35 to the frame 36.

The upper leg of the core 35 supports the coil 39 which is energized by the aid of the thermocouple I5. A circular pole piece 40 is carried by the upper leg of the core 35. When the coil 39 is energized, it attracts a light armature 4| to the position indicated in Fig. 3. This armature 4I passes through opening 31, and is supported for tilting on the upper edge of the frame 36. It is urged against the knife-edge 42 provided at the left-hand end of the lower leg of the core 35. A light compression spring 43 has its righthand end abutting the armature 4| below the knife edge 42. The left-hand end of the spring 43 is clamped between the frame 36 and the body I8. This spring 43 is suiicient to urge the armature 4| to the position shown in Fig. 2 when the relay coil 39 is unenergized.

The lower portion of the armature 4| in this position serves to close a jet opening 44 in a jet member 45. This jet member 45 controls the passage of fuel to the conduit 5. When it is closed by the armature 4I, gas cannot flow through the jet from chamber 32 to conduit 5. However, when coil 39 is energized, the jet is opened, as shown in Fig. 3, and fuel can ow through the jet member 45 to the outlet 20 and conduit 5.

The jet member 45 is appropriately supported in the body I8 by being threaded therein. A packing gland is provided for the iet member 45, as by the packing 46 and the gland nut 41.

In the position shown in Fig. l, no fuel can pass to the pilot burner 4. In order to initiate operation of the system by lighting the pilot burner 4, a bypass is provided around the jet member 45 to supply gas to this burner. For this purpose a passageway 48 is provided in the body I8, and which intersects the passage 49 interposed between the jet member 45 and the outlet 20. The upper end of this passage 48 may be placed in communication with the chamber 32 when a valve member G is raised. This valve member 53 has a tapered portion that seats on the upper edge of the passageway 48. It is provided with a stem 5| which is guided in the boss 52 formed on the body I8. A compression spring 53 urges the valve member to closed position. For this purpose its upper end engages the body I8 and its lower end engages a spring-retaining washer 54 attached to the end of the stern 5I When it is desired to initiate operation of the system, the stem 5| is raised, thereby causing fuel to pass to the pilot burner 4. The path of the fuel is formed by inlet I9, chamber 32, passages 48, 49 and 23, and conduit 5.

- Simultaneously with the raising of the stem 5|, the igniter 8 is energized. For this purpose use is made of a circuit controller including a resilient arm 55. This resilient arm 55 is attached at its left-hand end to a bracket 59 depending from the cover member 25. The arm 55 carries at its right-hand end a support 58 to which are attached the upper Contact member 56 and the lower contact member 51. These contact members are electrically connected, but are insulated from the support 58. A connection may be made in any appropriate manner to the contacts 56 and 51.

The upper contact 56 is adapted to cooperate with a stationary contact 6U, formed by a headless screw. This contact 60 is threaded into a bracket 6I (see Fig. 5) that is insulated from and supported on the cover member 25.

Similarly, the lower contact 51 is adapted to cooperate with a stationary contact screw 62, similarly supported on an insulated bracket 63. 1n the neutral or inactive position of the arm 55, none of the contacts is in engagement.

Arm 55 extends between the stern 21 and a push button plunger 64. This push button plunger has a collar that seats on the upper surface of a guide bushing 66. This guide bushing 66 is appropriately supported in a supplemental cover member 61 supported below the cover 25 and enclosing the circuit controlling mechanism.

The push button stem 68 extends below collar 65 and has a threaded end carrying a push button 66. A compression spring 10, interposed between the button 69 and the upper wall of the bushing 66, serves to urge the push button stem 68 to the inactive position shown in Fig. 2.

When it is desired to initiate operation of the system, the push button 69 is pushed inwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The arm 55 is flexed upwardly against the stem 21, and this stem is thereafter moved upwardly. The head 28 of the stem in turn contacts the stem 5| and valve 5U is raised. Accordingly, fuel can flow to the pilot burner 4.

At the same time contact 56 is urged into engagement with contact 6U. The circuit is established for the igniter from transformer I3, connection 1I, contacts 56 and 60, connection 12, primary winding I2, and connection 13, to the transformer I3.

Shortly after the pilot burner 4 is ignited, the thermocouple I5 energizes coil 39 and the jet 44 is uncovered, as shown in Fig. 3. Fuel can then pass from chamber 32 directly to the `iet 44 and thence to the pilot burner. It is then no longer necessary to keep the push button 69 depressed, and it may be released, causing opening of the igniter contacts 56, 60.

Fuel pressure can also enter chamber 22 to urge the diaphragm 23 to its lowered position of Fig. 3. This is accomplished by the passage of fuel from passageway 2|).through an orifice 14 formed in a hollow screw. 15,. The orifice4 14 is made quite restricted so that anappreciable time occurs before the diaphragm 23 ass'umes'theposition of Fig. 3. In thisposition contacts 5.1 and `62 are brought into engagement.` These contacts condition the electromagnetic valve 3 so that it may be opened as required by the thermostat l1.

The circuit for the electromagnetick valve can be traced from the transformer I3, lead 1|, contacts 51 and 62, thermostat l1, valve3,and connection 13. The valve 3 is nowunder thecontrol of the thermostat l1. The active position of the apparatus is illustrated in Fig.' 3.

Should the pilot flame" I4 fail for any reason, they relay l5 is deenerg'ized'andthejet 44 is covered by the armature 4I. In thatevent there is an interruption in the flow offfuel to the pilot burner 4. At the same time pressure from cham,- ber 22 is gradually released through the 'orifice 14 and the pilot burner 4. 'I'he system then gradually returns to the inactivev position 'of Fig.k2.

The engagement between contacts 51 and 62y may be broken with a snap action whenever stem 21 releases arm 55 from the position of Fig. 3. For this purpose use isk made yof a' small, permanent magnet 16of horse-shoe shape, shown mostl clearly in Fig. 5. This permanent magnet 1B is attached to the supporting member 58, as by the aid of a screw 84.

The poles of this permanent magnet are in engagement with the magnetic member 11. This member 11 is appropriately supported on the cover member 25.

In the event of pilot iiame failure, it is essential to prevent energization'of igniter 8 .for a short period, to permit accumulated vunignited fuel adjacent the burner to escape. Otherwise an explosion might occur. Provisions are therefore made to prevent actuationk of the push button G9 until all of the fuel hasbeen allowed .to escape.

Thus, a pivoted lock 18 is provided, mounted upon a stationary pin 18. Thistpin is` appropriately supported on any convenient stationary part of the apparatus. The lower endof this lock 18 is bifurcated to permit it to passto the locking position of Fig. 3 around the push button stem Gil. In this locking position Aof Fig.. 3., the push button 69 is stopped by yengagement of the collar 65 with the lock. This engagement is substantially in alignment with a vertical line through the center of pin '19;v thus the lock 18 serves effectively as a strut,v preventing actuation of the push button 69.

The locking position is effected by the aid of a member 80 formed integrally with the support 58. This member 80 engages the upper edge of the lock 18, swinging it to the locking position when the arm 55 is urged .downwardly by the stem 21. When the arm 55 is released, the lock 18 is also released to the `position shown in Figs. 2 and 4, permitting the collar 65 to pass the lock. Appropriate means, such as a light spring 8|, may be used to urge the lock 18 to the releasing position.

By this arrangement it is ensured that the space 22 above diaphragm 23 must be vented before the igniter 8 can be energized. Accordingly, there is no danger that unignited fuel will be inadvertently exploded in the furnace chamber. A time delay thus necessarily occurs upon a flame failure, before the system can again be placed into operation.

The inventor claims:

1. In a gas burner control system: a main burner; a pilot burner;l an yigniter. forthe pilot burner; a valve for controlling the `passage of fuel to ther main burner; means responsive to the existence of a flame atfthe pilot burner for conditioning said valve so that said valve may be opened; means. including a movable member, for energizing the igniter;` a releasable lock for holding the member against operation; and means for maintaining the lock in locking position while thev pilot flame is in existence.

2. In a gas burner control system: a main burner; a pilot burner; an igniter for the pilot burner; a valve for controlling the passage of fuel to the main burner; means responsive to the existence of a flame` at the, pilot burner for conditioning said valve so thaty said valve may be opened; means, includingy amovable member, for energizing thev igniter; a releasable'lock for holding the memberv against operation; and means for releasing the lock only when a time delay occursafter the valvecloses due to pilot flame failure.

3. In a gas burner control system: a main burner; a pilotburner; anv igniter for the pilot burner; a valve for controlling the passage of fuel to the main burner; means responsive to the existence of a pilot flame for conditioning said valve so thatthe valve may be opened, and including a control device moved to Valve conditioning position when the pilot` flame is in existence, as Well as means urging said control device toward inactive position upon pilot flame failure; means, including a t movable member for energizing the igniter and for moving the control device away from its valve conditioning position; a releasable lock for holding the member against operation; and means for maintaining the lock in locking position while the pilot name is in existence.

4. In a gas burner control system: a main burner; a pilot burner; an igniter for the pilot burner; a valve for controlling the passage of fuel to the main burner; means responsive to the existence of a pilot flame for conditioning said valve so that the valve may be opened, and including a control device moved to valve conditioning position when the pilot flame Vis in existence, as well as means urging said control device toward inactive position upon pilot flame failure; means including a movable member for energizing the igniter and to move the control device away from its valve conditioning position; a releasableflock for holdingthe member against operation; and means for releasing the lock only when a time delay occurs after the valve closes due to pilotflame failure.

5. InV a gas burner control system: a main burner; a pilot burner; a valve for controlling the passage of fuel to the` main burner; an electrically energized igniter for the pilot burner.; a circuit controller for alternately energizing the igniter and for conditioning the valve so that the valve may be opened; means responsive to the existence of a pilot flame for moving the circuit controller to valve conditioning position; means manually movable to move the circuit controller to energize the igniter; a releasable lock for holding the manually moveable means against operation, and means for maintaining the lock in active position while the pilot flame is in existence.

6. In a gas burner control system: a main burner; a pilot burner; a valve for controlling the passage of fuel to the main burner; an electrically energized igniter for the pilot burner;

a circuit controller for alternately energizing the igniter and for conditioning the valve so that the valve may be opened; means responsive to the existence of a pilot flame for moving the circuit controller to valve conditioning position; means manually movable to move the circuit controller to energize the igniter; a releasable lock for holding the manually movable means against operation, and means for releasing the lock only when a time delay occurs after the valve closes due to pilot ilame failure.

7. In a gas burner control system: a main burner; a pilot burner; a valve for controlling the passage of fuel to the main burner; an electrically energized igniter for the pilot burner; a circuit controller for alternately energizing the igniter and for conditioning the valve so that the valve may be opened; means forming a pressure chamber having a movable wall for urging the circuit controller to valve conditioning position; means responsive to the existence of a pilot iiame for supplying fuel under pressure to the chamber, said supplying means including a restricted orince to delay movement of the wall in either direction, said orifice communicating with a passage to the pilot burner whereby the chamber is exhausted when the pilot llame is extinguished; manually operated means for moving the circuit controller to a position for energizing the igniter; a releasable ,J

lock for holding the manually operated means against operation; and means operated by the movable wall when it is in position to condition the valve for maintaining the lock in holding position.

8. In a gas burner control system: a main burner; a pilot burner; a valve for controlling the passage of fuel to the main burner; an electrically energized igniter for the pilot burner; a circuit controller for alternately energizing the igniter and for conditioning the valve so that the valve may be opened; means forming a pressure chamber having a movable wall for urging the circuit controller to valve conditioning position; means responsive to the existence of a pilot flame for supplying fuel under pressure to the chamber, said supplying means including a restricted orifice to delay movement of the wall in either direction, said orifice communicating with a passage to the pilot burner whereby the f chamber is exhausted when the pilot flame is extinguished; manually operated means for moving the circuit controller to a position for energizing the igniter; a releasable lock for holding the manually operated means against operation; and means carried by the circuit controller for moving the lock to holding position when the circuit controller is urged to valve conditioning position.

9. In a gas burner control system having a f main burner, a valve for the main burner, and

an igniter for the pilot burner: means, including a movable member, for energizing the igniter; a releasable stop adapted to engage said movable member; and movable means positioned according to the existence or non-existence of a pilot flame, said means cooperating with said releasable stop, said means in one position conditioning the main valve so that it may be opened, and also causing the releasable stop to engage said movable member.

l0. In combination: a valve including a valve body having an inlet and an outlet opening; means forming a valve seat in the body; an electromagnet; an armature operated by the electromagnet and cooperating with the seat to open and close the valve; means forming a bypass valve between the inlet and outlet openings; means forming a pressure chamber in communication with the outlet opening and including a movable wall; means carried by the wall for opening the by-pass valve; manual means for urging said wall toward by-pass valve opening position; a circuit controller having an arm movable between two positions and urged to one position by the wall in response to outlet pressure in the chamber; and a stop operated by the circuit controller arm for preventing operation of the manual means when the circuit controller arm is in said one of its positions.

1l. In combination: a valve including a valve body having an inlet and an outlet opening; means forming a valve seat in the body; an electromagnet; an armature operated by the electromagnet and cooperating with the seat to open and close the valve; means forming a bypass valve between the inlet and outlet openings; means forming a pressure chamber including a movable wall; means forming a restricted passageway between the chamber and the outlet; means carried by the wall for opening the by-pass valve; manual means for urging said wall toward by-pass valve opening position; a circuit controller having an arm movable between two positions and urged to one position by the wall in response to outlet pressure in the chamber; and a stop operated by the circuit controller arm for preventing operation of the manual means when the circuit controller arm is in said one of its positions.

WILLIAM A. RAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,263,767 Fox Nov. 25, 1941 2,286,156 Peterson June 9, 1942 2,411,230 Ray NOV. 19, 1946 2.475.430 Kronmiller Julv 5. 1949 

